Connect with us

News

AKSU Final Year Student Sues Varsity After Being Expelled For Calling Out Governor On Facebook

It seems Nigerians will not be seeing an end to the gag on free speech and suppression of human rights soon as a final year student of the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) has been expelled by the institution for making a Facebook post that seemed to criticize the actions of the state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

Ekpo Iniobong Isang, a final year student of Engineering, made a post on the social media platform where he called out the state governor for not redeeming his promise to give cash gifts as well as employment positions to first-class graduates of the institution.

This post led to his suspension on September 7, 2020, for “gross misconduct” and then on April 9, 2021, the school further announced through a letter signed by the registrar of the university, Mr. John E. Udo, that Iniobong has been expelled from the university as they say his actions are a “breach of the Matriculation Oath.”

The letter also directed the chief security officer to deny him access to the institution henceforth.

EKPO Iniobong Isang
AK15/ENG/AEE/013
Department of Agricultural Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
Akwa lbom State University

EXPULSION FOR GROSS MISCONDUCT

At its 69th Meeting held on Wednesday, 31st March 2021, the Senate of Akwa Ibom State University deliberated on the report from the Students Disciplinary Committee. You will recall that you had appeared before the said Committee on a Case of publication of a derogatory and defamatory article on the Facebook platform about the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Visitor to the University.

This act constütutes a breach of the Matriculation 0ath and violation of the University rules and regulations enshrined in the Student Information Handbook. You are hereby expelled from the University for this act of gross misconduct which constitutes a breach of the Matriculation Oath.

You are required to submit to the Dean, Division of Students Affairs your student identity card and any other property of the University in your possession before your exit from the University.

Also, the Dean of your Faculty as well as the Head of your Department, are informed to ensure strict implementation of the Senate decision. The Chief Security Officer is, by a copy of this letter, directed not to allow you entry into the University Campuses.

The student, Mr. Iniobong Isang, who was left disheartened by the incident has responded to the school via a class action against it. In a letter served through the Inibehe Effiong Chambers to the Vice-Chancellor of the institution on the 18th of June, 2021, the student faulted his suspension in the first place as he was not at any time summoned to appear before any Senate committee to answer for his Facebook post.

It also stated that the University was crying more than the bereaved since the governor himself had not instituted any lawsuit against Mr. Iniobong for defamation of character. It further questioned why the institution sought to serve as the mouthpiece of the state governor.

In conclusion, the letter demanded an immediate and unconditional reinstatement of Mr. Iniobong Isang as a student of the university so that he can complete his studies with the restoration of his full rights and privileges. It also demanded a waiver on the tests and academic work he had missed as a result of the propaganda pursued by the school against him.

To add to that a sum of twenty million naira was demanded as compensation for damages – emotional, academic, and otherwise – caused Mr. Iniombong Isang by the harsh decision of the AKSU to expel him.

All demands are to be met in seven days from the time the letter is served. The letter also copied:

  • The Registrar & Secretary to Senate, Akwa Ibom State University.
  • The Dean of Student Affairs, Akwa Ibom State University.
  • The Chief Security Officer, Akwa Ibom State University.
  • The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Akwa Ibom State University.
  • The State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Akwa Ibom State.
  • The Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petitions, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
  • United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education.
  • Amnesty International Nigeria.
  • Civil Society Consortium on Civic Space.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Peter Obi decries Demolition of brother’s property in Lagos – ‘Nigeria is lawless’

Former presidential candidate and ex-Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has condemned what he described as “coordinated lawlessness” after a property owned by his younger brother was demolished in Lagos without any formal notice or legal order.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday, June 25, Obi revealed that his brother arrived at the company’s premises in Ikeja, Lagos, only to find demolition underway.

He said security personnel at the scene claimed they were acting on a court judgment, yet failed to produce any legal documents or demolition order.

“How do you sue an unknown person? How does a court issue a judgment in such a farce of a case?” Obi queried, disclosing that the judgment cited was allegedly against “unknown persons and squatters,” despite the property being a registered company site for over 15 years.

Obi said he rushed from Abuja to Lagos upon receiving a distress call, only to be shocked by what he witnessed during the demolition.

He said contractors on-site could not identify who sent them, and no official from any government agency appeared to clarify the situation.

“The whole situation screamed of coordinated lawlessness and impunity,” Obi stated, adding that two men who later appeared only asked him to report to a police station, also without any court backing.

Drawing broader implications, Obi said the experience reflects what ordinary Nigerians endure and explains why foreign investors are reluctant to do business in the country.

“Someone told me he has investments in Ghana, Senegal, and the Benin Republic but won’t touch Nigeria. His reason was clear: ‘Nigeria is a lawless country,’” Obi noted.

Continue Reading

News

I listen to those who insult me and learn governance lessons from them – Tinubu

pro-Tinubu group

President Bola Tinubu said he has grown a thick skin against insults from his critics and political enemies to the point that he now learns governance lessons from them.

Tinubu disclosed this while speaking at the town hall meeting held at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

The meeting was part of activities scheduled for the President’s visit in the wake of recent killings in the state. Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and other dignitaries, including North Central governors, received the President.

“No matter what I do, they will insult me. I read the papers and I learn from their criticism because I can’t see it all,” the President said.

Over 200 residents of the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of the state were killed when assailants suspected to be herders invaded on Friday, June 13, 2025.

The unfortunate incident attracted both nationwide and foreign attention, with international media outlets reporting it. Following the outrage, Tinubu visited Benue on Wednesday to console the surviving victims of the killings.

Addressing the Governor, the President said, “Your political enemies don’t want you to succeed. Are you just realising that?”

Tinubu also urged leaders from across the region to work together as part of a non-kinetic approach to solving the hydra-headed insecurity situation.

“We cannot do without another.

“I will want us to create a leadership committee now to meet in Abuja to fashion out a strategy for lasting peace. And I am ready to invest in that peace,” he said.

Tinubu also charged security agencies to go after the perpetrators of the Benue killings, questioning the police on why no suspects have been arrested since the incident.

Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made?” the displeased President asked.

“I expect there should be arrests of those criminals.”

“I give you the assurance that we will find peace and convert this tragedy to prosperity.”

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Tinubu, you are incapable – Falz slams president over Benue killings

Nigerian rapper and activist, Falz, has condemned President Bola Tinubu over the recent mass killings in Benue State, accusing him of failing in his most fundamental responsibility as a leader.

In a strongly worded post shared on X on June 16, 2025, the rapper expressed deep frustration at what he described as a repeated pattern of government negligence amid growing insecurity across the country.

You have consistently shown that you are incapable of performing the primary duty of securing the lives and property of your citizens. This routine statement does not cut it.

Falz’s comments come in the wake of public outrage over the massacre of more than 200 people in parts of Benue State. The killings, which have been linked to suspected herdsmen attacks, have drawn widespread condemnation from Nigerians and prominent voices in entertainment.

After being called out online for what many people perceived as his silence on the matter, President Tinubu took to X to address the massacre, saying “Enough is enough.”

His statement read in part,

“I have been briefed on the senseless bloodletting in Benue State. Enough is enough! I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them.”

Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings.This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue.

Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness, and justice.

Despite finally addressing the bloodshed, many Nigerians have still faulted Tinubu for not speaking on it early enough, especially after the Pope.

Continue Reading

Trending